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Macron says foreign leaders are exploiting French riots and rejects migrant claims

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Coverage spectrum

Covered by 15 outlets across the spectrum.

22 articles in total, 2 of them opinion. The spectrum counts each outlet once and leaves opinion out. How we measure bias

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Image via Al Jazeera EnglishHow images are chosenReport this image

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday, speaking in Doha, Qatar, that foreign leaders are trying to exploit unrest in France for their own political ends. He named Donald Trump among them and called their comments unacceptable and stupid. Trump had blamed migrants for the riots. Macron said there was no visible foreign interference in the events, but there was foreign manipulation of information afterward, including AI-generated images of scenes that never happened in France. He said claims that France had been invaded by migrants and Islamists were completely false. Some right-leaning outlets dispute that the riot videos are AI-generated.

Headline and summary written by Mantle’s AI from the coverage below, under published rules. How this works

What happened

Key points

Each point shows who reports it, from Far Left to Far Right.

  1. Macron said foreign leaders, including Donald Trump, are exploiting unrest in France for political purposes, and called their comments unacceptable and stupid.

    Across the spectrumReported byLeft3Center2Right1Far Right2See the outletsHide the outlets
    Left
    Bloomberg, ABC News, The New York Times
    Center
    BBC News, The Hill
    Right
    The Washington Times
    Far Right
    Breitbart News, RedState

  2. Macron said there was no visible foreign interference in the riots, but that there was foreign manipulation of information afterward.

    Reported byLeft1Center1Far Right3See the outletsHide the outlets
    Left
    ABC News
    Center
    The Hill
    Far Right
    Hot Air, Breitbart News, RedState

  3. Macron said claims that France had been invaded by hordes of migrants and Islamists were completely false, and that some AI-generated images show scenes that never happened.

    Reported byLeft1Center1Far Right2See the outletsHide the outlets
    Left
    ABC News
    Center
    The Hill
    Far Right
    Hot Air, RedState

  4. Trump blamed migrants, including Muslim migrants, for the riots and urged France to close its borders, a claim the Associated Press and The Daily Beast describe as unsubstantiated.

    Reported byFar Left1Left1Center2Right1See the outletsHide the outlets
    Far Left
    The Daily Beast
    Left
    ABC News
    Center
    Financial Times, The Hill
    Right
    The Washington Times

What is contested

Where accounts differ

Points the coverage does not agree on, and who says what.

  • Migrants, including Muslim migrants, are responsible for the riots in France.

    Trump and Breitbart say migrants are part of the unrest; Macron, the Associated Press and The Daily Beast say the claim is unsupported.

  • The riot videos circulating online are AI-generated or misleading.

    Macron says AI-generated images show scenes that never happened; Hot Air and RedState say the videos show real burned cars and looting.

How each side tells it

Compare views

All sides report that Macron criticized foreign leaders, including Trump, and called their comments stupid and false. Left and center outlets stress Macron’s rebuke of claims that migrants and Muslims caused the riots, while right outlets dispute the AI-image claim and frame the response as an attack on Trump.

  • the left

    7 outlets

    Left headlines frame the story as Macron rebuking Trump’s stupid claims; the Far Left Daily Beast goes further with Torches and makes Trump’s take the centre of the story.

    Macron Says Trump Does Not Like France and Loaded verb“Distorts”States as fact a judgement that the excerpt presents only as Macron’s claim.More neutral: says false claims aboutThese are Emmanuel Macron’s words. The outlet is reporting them.Disagree with this highlight? Its Troubles
    The New York TimesLeftAll left-leaning headlines

  • the center

    5 outlets

    Center headlines report Macron accusing or rejecting foreign leaders’ remarks in neutral verbs, with the BBC noting an apparent swipe at Trump and Netanyahu before elections.

    Macron accuses foreign leaders of exploiting French riots
    BBC NewsCenterAll center headlines

  • the right

    3 outlets · 2 opinion

    Right headlines split: the Washington Times repeats AP wording on Trump and Muslim migrants, while Far Right outlets frame Macron as attacking Trump or dismissing the migrant link as misinformation.

    Another Attack on Trump? Macron Loaded verb“Lashes Out”Suggests anger and an unprovoked attack that the reported remarks do not show.More neutral: criticizesDisagree with this highlight? at 'Stupid' Leaders Talking About Migration Influence on French Riots
    Breitbart NewsFar RightAll right-leaning headlines

The words they chose

Language to notice

Words that carry a judgement beyond the facts. Tap a highlighted word anywhere on the page to see why.

  • Left6

    hit backblastsrailed againstused the violence to rally

  • Center2

    exploit the riotshits out at

  • Right8

    slamsravaged Parisdark foreign governmentsMostly Peaceful™ Protests

In the outlets’ own words

  • Loaded verb

    slamsMore neutral: criticizes

    A stronger verb than the neutral reporting of a criticism, adding force the statement itself does not show.

    Macron slams as 'stupid' claims by Trump and others blaming Muslim migrants for French riots

    Used byThe Washington Times (Right)Washington Examiner (Right)

  • Loaded verb

    hit backMore neutral: responded or replied

    Combat framing for a reply.

    French President Emmanuel Macron has hit back at Donald Trump and foreign leaders, accusing them of trying to exploit France's…

    Used byThe Independent (Left)The Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded verb

    exploit the riotsMore neutral: use the riots

    The outlet’s paraphrase assigns the leaders a motive of exploitation without stating how it is known.

    …took aim at world leaders including US President Donald Trump for trying to exploit the riots and looting that broke out alongside peaceful demonstrations in France Saturday…

    Used byFrance 24 (Center)

  • Loaded verb

    blastsMore neutral: criticizes

    A stronger verb than the neutral reporting of a rebuke, adding force the statement itself does not show.

    Macron blasts ‘stupid’ claims by Trump, others blaming Muslims migrants for riots

    Used byABC News (Left)

Show 12 more phrasesShow fewer

  • Loaded verb

    hits out atMore neutral: criticises

    The verb suggests an aggressive attack, while the article reports a rebuke expressed in remarks.

    Macron hits out at ‘stupid’ Trump remarks about riots in France

    Used byFinancial Times (Center)

  • Sensational language

    ravaged ParisMore neutral: hit Paris

    The verb adds dramatic damage language beyond the reported riots.

    …Trump of making “stupid” and “unacceptable” comments about the riots that have ravaged Paris, accusing him of twisting the chaos for his own political gain.

    Used byWashington Examiner (Right)

  • Loaded verb

    railed againstMore neutral: criticized

    Describes an angry tone that the reported remarks do not state.

    Speaking in Qatar, President Emmanuel Macron railed against foreign leaders who he said had made false claims about unrest in France for their…

    Used byThe New York Times (Left)

  • Loaded verb

    used the violence to rallyMore neutral: spoke about the violence at campaign events

    The phrase asserts Trump’s motive as fact rather than describing what he said.

    President Donald Trump has used the violence to rally his political supporters, urging Macron to ‘close your borders and take…

    Used byThe Independent (Left)

  • Loaded modifier

    dark foreign governmentsMore neutral: foreign governments

    Calls foreign governments sinister without evidence of their involvement in the events.

    …the new Narrative™ is that Muslims are not involved in the French riots, but dark foreign governments like Russia, and perhaps the United States, are misusing the Mostly Peaceful™…

    Used byHot Air (Far Right)

  • Delegitimizing label

    Mostly Peaceful™ ProtestsMore neutral: protests

    Scare quotes and a sarcastic trademark mock the protests rather than describe them.

    …governments like Russia, and perhaps the United States, are misusing the Mostly Peaceful™ Protests for their own political gain.

    Used byHot Air (Far Right)

  • Partisan shorthand

    transnationalistsMore neutral: foreign-policy critics

    A label coined for one political camp that carries a conclusion about who is behind the events.

    You just HAD to know that the transnationalists were desperate to change the subject from "France is burning, and the Red-Green…

    Used byHot Air (Far Right)

  • Loaded verb

    blastedMore neutral: criticized

    A stronger verb than the neutral reporting of a rebuke, adding force the statement itself does not show.

    Emmanuel Macron has blasted Donald Trump over what he described as his “stupid” take on protests in France.

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded verb

    TorchesMore neutral: criticizes

    A violent image for a verbal rebuke, adding drama the reported remark does not carry.

    World Leader Torches ‘Stupid’ Trump Take on Violent Riots

    Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

  • Loaded verb

    slammedMore neutral: criticized

    A stronger verb than the neutral reporting of a criticism, adding force the statement itself does not show.

    French Prez slammed “foreign leaders” for “stupid” comments about riots, in an apparent swipe at U.S.

    Used byBreitbart News (Far Right)

  • Loaded verb

    Lashes OutMore neutral: criticizes

    Suggests anger and an unprovoked attack that the reported remarks do not show.

    Macron Lashes Out at 'Stupid' Leaders Talking About Migration Influence on French Riots

    Used byBreitbart News (Far Right)

  • Loaded verb

    Throwing a Hissy FitMore neutral: Criticizes

    Dismisses Macron’s remarks as childish rather than describing what he said.

    While France Reels From Riots, Macron's Busy Throwing a Hissy Fit Over Trump's Migrant Remarks

    Used byRedState (Far Right)

Words quoted from someone else (3)Hide the quoted words

Loaded words that outlets reported someone else saying. They show what was said, not how the outlet chose to say it.

  • Loaded modifier

    Quoted

    stupidMore neutral: mistaken

    Macron’s word judges the leaders’ comments as foolish rather than describing what they said.

    Macron says world leaders have made 'stupid' comments on France riots based on fake AI videos

    Quoted byFrance 24 (Center)Washington Examiner (Right)The Independent (Left)

    These are Emmanuel Macron’s words. The outlets are reporting them.

  • Loaded modifier

    Quoted

    stupid commentsMore neutral: comments he called unacceptable

    The quoted insult pre-judges the leaders’ remarks before any evaluation is given; the quotation is attributed to Macron.

    Macron accuses Trump and other foreign leaders of making ‘stupid comments’ about France unrest

    Quoted byThe Guardian (Left)

    These are Emmanuel Macron’s words. The outlets are reporting them.

  • Loaded verb

    Quoted

    DistortsMore neutral: says false claims about

    States as fact a judgement that the excerpt presents only as Macron’s claim.

    Macron Says Trump Does Not Like France and Distorts Its Troubles

    Quoted byThe New York Times (Left)

    These are Emmanuel Macron’s words. The outlets are reporting them.

See the full language guide

See for yourself

Side by side

What each side leads with and what it leaves out. Open a side to read its headlines.

From the left

7 outlets

Leads with

  • Macron rebuking Trump
  • Trump’s false migrant claims
  • foreign leaders exploiting unrest

Leaves out

  • Right-side view that migrants took part in the riots

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 7 headlines from the leftHide the headlines
  • The Daily BeastFar Left

    World Leader Loaded verb“Torches”A violent image for a verbal rebuke, adding drama the reported remark does not carry.More neutral: criticizesDisagree with this highlight? ‘Stupid’ Trump Take on Violent Riots

    Emmanuel Macron has Loaded verb“blasted”A stronger verb than the neutral reporting of a rebuke, adding force the statement itself does not show.More neutral: criticizedDisagree with this highlight? Donald Trump over what he described as his “stupid” take on protests in France. The French president made the remarks Wednesday after Trump used the demonstrations to attack migration and urge France to shut its borders, despite no evidence that …

    Read at The Daily Beast (opens in a new tab)
  • The IndependentLeftAssociated Press report

    Macron criticizes Trump's ‘Loaded modifier“stupid”The quoted insult pre-judges the remarks; it is attributed to Macron.More neutral: comments he called unacceptableThese are Emmanuel Macron’s words. The outlet is reporting them.Disagree with this highlight?’ comments about French riots and 'false' AI images

    President Donald Trump has Loaded verb“used the violence to rally”The phrase asserts Trump’s motive as fact rather than describing what he said.More neutral: spoke about the violence at campaign eventsDisagree with this highlight? his political supporters, urging Macron to ‘close your borders and take control before it is too late!’

    Read at The Independent (opens in a new tab)
  • The New York TimesLeft

    Macron Says Trump Does Not Like France and Distorts Its Troubles

    Speaking in Qatar, President Emmanuel Macron railed against foreign leaders who he said had made false claims about unrest in France for their own political ends.

    Read at The New York Times (opens in a new tab)
    1 more from The New York Times
  • The GuardianLeft

    Macron accuses Trump and other foreign leaders of making ‘Loaded modifier“stupid comments”The quoted insult pre-judges the leaders’ remarks before any evaluation is given; the quotation is attributed to Macron.More neutral: comments he called unacceptableThese are Emmanuel Macron’s words. The outlet is reporting them.Disagree with this highlight?’ about France unrest

    French president criticises leaders for spreading misleading information as country prepares for further protests this weekend Europe live – latest updates Emmanuel Macron has accused Donald Trump and other foreign leaders of making “stupid comments” about France’s street unrest …

    Read at The Guardian (opens in a new tab)
  • Al Jazeera EnglishLeft

    France’s Macron says protesters won’t be allowed to ‘cause chaos’

    French president criticises comments by 'foreign leaders' trying to exploit disorder for their own political agenda.

    Read at Al Jazeera English (opens in a new tab)
    1 more from Al Jazeera English
  • ABC NewsLeftAssociated Press report

    Macron Loaded verb“blasts”A stronger verb than the neutral reporting of a rebuke, adding force the statement itself does not show.More neutral: criticizesDisagree with this highlight? ‘stupid’ claims by Trump, others blaming Muslims migrants for riots

    French President Emmanuel Macron has criticized foreign leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, saying they exploit unrest in France for political gain

    Read at ABC News (opens in a new tab)
  • BloombergLeft

    Macron Accuses Foreign Leaders of Exploiting France’s Riots

    French President Emmanuel Macron said recent riots are being used abroad for political purposes, accusing foreign leaders of disliking France.

    Read at Bloomberg (opens in a new tab)

From the center

5 outlets

Leads with

  • Macron criticizing foreign leaders
  • Trump’s migrant claims
  • Netanyahu and Trump facing elections

Leaves out

  • Right-side argument that the riot videos are authentic

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 5 headlines from the centerHide the headlines

From the right

3 outlets · 2 opinion

Leads with

  • Macron attacking Trump
  • AI images as misinformation
  • Muslims not involved in riots

Leaves out

  • Trump’s call for France to close its borders

Reported by other sides, not found in this side’s coverage.

See the 5 headlines from the rightHide the headlines
  • The Washington TimesRightAssociated Press report

    Macron slams as 'stupid' claims by Trump and others blaming Muslim migrants for French riots

    French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday that foreign leaders -- including those "on the other side of the Atlantic" -- were seeking to exploit France's tense social climate for political gain following a weekend of street violence and looting.

    Read at The Washington Times (opens in a new tab)
    1 more from The Washington Times
  • Breitbart NewsFar Right

    Another Attack on Trump? Macron Loaded verb“Lashes Out”Suggests anger and an unprovoked attack that the reported remarks do not show.More neutral: criticizesDisagree with this highlight? at 'Stupid' Leaders Talking About Migration Influence on French Riots

    French Prez Loaded verb“slammed”A stronger verb than the neutral reporting of a criticism, adding force the statement itself does not show.More neutral: criticizedDisagree with this highlight? “foreign leaders” for “stupid” comments about riots, in an apparent swipe at U.S. President Donald Trump.

    Read at Breitbart News (opens in a new tab)
  • Washington ExaminerRight

    Macron Loaded verb“slams”The verb adds hostility to a plain report of criticism.More neutral: criticizesDisagree with this highlight? Trump for ‘Loaded modifier“stupid”The quoted insult pre-judges the remarks; it is attributed to Macron.More neutral: comments he called unacceptableThese are Emmanuel Macron’s words. The outlet is reporting them.Disagree with this highlight?’ comments about French riots and warns public of ‘foreign manipulation’

    French President Emmanuel Macron accused President Donald Trump of making “stupid” and “unacceptable” comments about the riots that have Sensational language“ravaged Paris”The verb adds dramatic damage language beyond the reported riots.More neutral: hit ParisDisagree with this highlight?, accusing him of twisting the chaos for his own political gain. …

    Read at Washington Examiner (opens in a new tab)
  • RedStateFar RightOpinion

    While France Reels From Riots, Macron's Busy Loaded verb“Throwing a Hissy Fit”Dismisses Macron’s remarks as childish rather than describing what he said.More neutral: CriticizesDisagree with this highlight? Over Trump's Migrant Remarks

    France was rocked by violent riots over the weekend and into this week.

    Read at RedState (opens in a new tab)
  • Hot AirFar RightOpinion

    Macron Now Saying the Images of the Riots Are Misinformation, Muslims Not Involved

    Well, the new Narrative™ is that Muslims are not involved in the French riots, but Loaded modifier“dark foreign governments”Calls foreign governments sinister without evidence of their involvement in the events.More neutral: foreign governmentsDisagree with this highlight? like Russia, and perhaps the United States, are misusing the Mostly Peaceful™ Protests for their own political gain.

    Read at Hot Air (opens in a new tab)

Articles you open from here build My Mix, a private picture of how your reading spreads across the spectrum, kept on this device. What is My Mix?

The left is Far Left and Left together. The right is Right and Far Right together. Every outlet keeps its own five-point rating.

Who reported it when

How the coverage built up

  • Left

    First to report

    Bloomberg, Oct 21, 6:56 AM EDT

  • Center

    51 min later

    Its first report, Oct 21, 7:48 AM EDT

  • Right

    2 hr 7 min later

    Its first report, Oct 21, 9:03 AM EDT

See the order the outlets reported inHide the order
  1. BloombergLeftOct 21, 6:56 AM EDT
  2. France 24CenterOct 21, 7:48 AM EDT
  3. Al Jazeera EnglishLeftOct 21, 8:18 AM EDT
  4. ABC NewsLeftOct 21, 8:42 AM EDT
  5. The Washington TimesRightOct 21, 9:03 AM EDT
  6. Financial TimesCenterOct 21, 9:17 AM EDT
  7. BBC NewsCenterOct 21, 10:04 AM EDT
  8. The GuardianLeftOct 21, 10:44 AM EDT
  9. Washington ExaminerRightOct 21, 11:25 AM EDT
  10. The New York TimesLeftOct 21, 11:26 AM EDT
  11. The IndependentLeftOct 21, 11:32 AM EDT
  12. The HillCenterOct 21, 12:08 PM EDT
  13. The Daily BeastFar LeftOct 21, 12:10 PM EDT
  14. Breitbart NewsFar RightOct 21, 12:48 PM EDT
  15. Deutsche WelleCenterOct 21, 6:32 PM EDT

Times are the ones the outlets published in their own feeds, in Eastern time. Opinion is left out.

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